Fuel is not traveling between tanks

Discussion in 'Heavy Duty Diesel Truck Mechanics Forum' started by JohnSmith69, Nov 16, 2020.

  1. JohnSmith69

    JohnSmith69 Light Load Member

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    One day I was driving down the highway at 65 MPH weight 80k lbs and my truck turned off on me. Turns out fuel is not traveling between tanks and I had run out of fuel on the passenger side. The passenger side tank is being used 80 percent more than the driver side.

    Took it to a mechanic and he said there's a valve that's between the tanks which is probably bad. Then he changed his mind and said it was just debri and the valve was fine. Then it happened again. Then he's trying to tell me it'll take 10 hours of diagnosis to fix because he has to put a camera inside to see where the problem is (which would cost me over $1000). To me it sounds like he's just trying to make money. Should I just change the valve? Any advice is appreciated
     
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  3. Lyle H

    Lyle H Road Train Member

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    Your tank vents could be plugged.
    Or a cracked pickup tube.
    Or something blocking the pickup tube.
    Splitter valve could be plugged.
    Loosen a fuel cap and listen for pressure buildup.
    Do the tanks equalize after sitting for a while?
     
  4. blairandgretchen

    blairandgretchen Road Train Member

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    Vents in caps - shut off valve in crossover line.

    $1,000?

    Bring it to me and we’ll figure it out over a 30 pack.
     
  5. lester

    lester Midwest's #1 Feed Hauler

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    Year, make and model would be helpful
     
  6. pavrom

    pavrom Road Train Member

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    Disconnect driver side lines from splitter and blow them with the air gun . Fixed it for me , since February . Exactly the same ...i checked breathers and splitter first
     
  7. Final Drive

    Final Drive Road Train Member

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    20201116_220336.jpg

    Put one of these in your tool box
     
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  8. b61mack

    b61mack Light Load Member

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    As a temporary fix open fuel cap slightly this will break the vacuum. Fuel should equalize the tanks
     
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  9. AModelCat

    AModelCat Road Train Member

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    Run from that guy. He's trying to hose you IMO.
     
  10. flood

    flood Road Train Member

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    It's 1 of 2 things

    #1 The vent tube is blocked on the drivers side.... to check fell the drivers side full and passanger side 1/2 or less, park the truck turn the truck off and crack both caps a little. Check the level about 1hr later, they should be the same... if so take off the vent tube and blow it out or replace it.. if not #2

    #2 you have a blocked fuel pickup or block fuel line. To check disconnect THAT fuel line as far away fron the fuel tank as posable and blow it out until air is blowing into the tank. 2 or 3 times then hook it back up and see it they equalize.. if so that was your problem.... now if #2 fixed it you need to check your tank... (you can get a cheap endoscope "bore scope") for under $100. You need to see if there is any junk in your tank...... an old way to F someone you didn't like is to throw a pice of plastic bag in someone tank... it will float around forever until it gets sucked into the fuel line. If you just blow it out it will do it again...
     
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  11. God prefers Diesels

    God prefers Diesels Road Train Member

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    You could probably replace both tanks, and everything in between them for that much money. Jesus.
     
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